Silver as a Probe of Pore-Forming Residues in a Potassium Channel

• DOI: 10.1126/science.7716526
• Publication Date: 2006-10-27T18:19:42Z
• Authors: Qiang Lü; Christopher Miller
• Keywords: Shaker; Voltage-gated potassium channel

In voltage-dependent potassium channels, the molecular determinants of ion selectivity are found in P (pore) region, a stretch 21 contiguous residues. Cysteine was introduced at each region position Shaker channel. Residues projecting side chains into pore were identified by means channel inhibition sulfhydryl-reactive analog, silver ion. The pattern reactivity contradicts beta barrel architecture pores.